"I’m reaching out today," Meeks said outside the restaurant... Tunney, who has criticized Meeks’ vote last week against a state bill legalizing civil unions for gays, was not at the restaurant to greet Meeks Wednesday. "I wouldn’t vote for him for dog-catcher," retired pharmacist Frank Nussbaum said as Meeks walked into the restaurant. "He’s a homophobe. He’s a religious crazy, I think. We don’t need someone like that. He’s got a big nerve coming here."

Meeks walked around the restaurant shaking hands and getting a friendly reception from the patrons. "We’ve been reading about him. I don’t know who I’m voting for, but he made a good impression," Bill Tompsett, 61, said after Meeks left his table.

Finally, Meeks approached Nussbaum. "Can I ask you why you voted against civil unions?" Nussbaum asked. "I believe in the sanctity of marriage," Meeks said. "I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman." "I disagree with you, and I respect you," Nussbaum said. "Sanctity — that’s a religious term. It has nothing to do with a civil union. You’re in a restaurant owned by a gay man."

>>>Of the almost 30 Black legislators in both chambers, Meeks was one of only two to vote NO. Meeks, who has called homosexuality "an evil sickness", opposed Illinois' LGBT non-discrimination legislation and was the only Black in the General Assembly to vote against that bill, too.

And black gay men still make apologies for this man. Where are Terrell and the other Chicago closet queens that keep blowing up Meeks spot?

The church queens always forgive anti-gay pastors. Luckily in Chicago, u have enough independent gays who will stand against Meek and hold his feet to the fire. He has some nerve to show up at a gay owned restaurant.

Meeks is simply clueless. And interesting all of his outreach is to the northside predominantly white gay community. He's met with Rick Garcia of Equality Illinois and now Ann Sather restaurant. What about Black lgbts or those who live on the south side? I know he knows we exist. Is he afraid things might get too real if he sits down with Black lgbts?

>>I guess I have to read the link here, not sure whether this is the Ann Sather's in Boystown or the one in Andersonville.

I guess you do have to read the link, Kev. The post captures a local Chicago story for a global audience ... and thousands of readers here every day would not know or could care less if the location was Boystown v Andersonville. Rod's post also has helluva more info on Meeks' LGBT voting record than the Sun Times reporter.